Gyaneshwari -Sant Gyaneshwar
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Chapter-17
Three Kinds of Faith
24. Therefore, by uttering the syllable Om, acts of sacrifice, charity and austerity are begun as prescribed by the knower of Brahman. The three syllables of this name of Brahman should be used at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of every action. O Arjuna, by using this method, the knowers of Brahman have become one with Brahman (351-355). According to the prescription of the religious texts, they do not abstain from performing sacrifices and other rites, in order to attain unity with Brahman. They first meditate on Om, by stamping its nature on their mind and then pronouncing it with their tongue, commence their action. This utterance at the commencement of action, is as valuable as a lamp with a steady light in darkness or the company of a strong man in the forest. The knowers of Brahman, get the Brahmins to offer sacrifices to titular deities, by spending their legitimate earnings (356-360). They offer oblations as prescribed in the three sacred fires, Ahavaniya, Garhapatya and Dakshina. In this way, by performing sacrifices of various kinds, they destroy their limitations (upadhis), which they abhor. They give in charity to holy Brahmins, at proper place and time, land or riches obtained by them justly. They perform austerities and chasten their bodies, by eating on alternate days or observing the chandrayana vow every alternate month. In this way, if sacrifices, charity and austerities, which are well known as the means of causing bondage, are performed after uttering Om, they conduce easily to emancipation (361-365). We can cross the sea on boats, which seem heavy on land. In the same way, with the help of this God’s name, one gets release from the bonds of action. So sacrifices, charities, austerities and other rites are commenced with the utterance of Om. When these actions show signs of coming to fruition, then the second syllable Tat is brought into operation. |
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